The primary goal of the Potable Water Program is to ensure proper installation and repair of all privately owned water wells. Environmental Health Practitioners also test water from privately owned water wells. The program enforces local and state laws and ordinances pertaining to potable water.
The primary goal of the Sewage Disposal Program is to prevent the transmission of disease caused by exposure to sewage. The program ensures proper installation and repair of all privately owned sewage disposal systems. The program enforces local and state laws and ordinances pertaining to sewage disposal.
Contact Us
Phone: 815-748-2153
Fax: 815-748-2485
Email: well.septic@dekalbcounty.org (DeKalb County, IL)
Fees
| Water Well Permit*/Inspection/Sample | $300.00 |
|---|---|
| Water Well Sealing Permit | $100.00 |
| Water Well Construct plus Sealing (same visit) | $350.00 |
| Geothermal Well (up to 10 holes) | $100.00, each additional hole $10.00 |
| Non-Community Water Sample (Nitrate) | $40.00 |
| Septic Installer/Pumper License | $100.00 |
| Septic Permit- Contractor Installed | $400.00 |
| Septic Permit- Homeowner Installed | $500.00 |
| Well Inspection and One (1) Water Test Sample | $175.00 |
| Additional Water Sample Test at time of Scheduled Inspection | $40.00 |
| Septic Inspection | $165.00 |
| Site Verification-External | $40.00 |
| Site Verification- Internal | $20.00 |
| Variance Request | $50.00 |
*$100 well permit fee-State Statute
Forms
Complaint Form
DeKalb County Sewage Installer Application
DeKalb County Sewage Pumper Application
Freedom of Information Act
Private Sewage Disposal System Application
Real Estate Inspection Request Application
Site Verification
Variance Request Form
Water Well Construct/ Modify/ Seal Permit Application
Water Well Construction Report Instructions
Water Well Construction Report
Water Well Pump Installation Report
Water Well Sealing Form
Laws and Regulations
DeKalb County Code – Sewers and Sewage Disposal
DeKalb County Code – Water Wells
Additional information regarding state codes related to water and sewage can be found in Title 77 of the Illinois Administrative Code
2013 IDPH Private Sewage Code
2013 IDPH Private Water Code
Additional Resources
After the Flood
Freezing Problems & Septic Systems
Septic System Warnings
ISCA Certified Professional Soil Classifiers
Septic Contractors
Well Drillers
Online Training for Homeowners with a Water Well
Frequently Asked Questions
A) Yes. By law a permit must obtained from the health department.
A) Call the Environmental Health Division to learn about your options for well water testing.
A) An unused water well, commonly known as an “abandoned well,” can pose a health and safety hazard if it is
improperly sealed. By law, a home owner must have an abandoned well properly sealed. Home owners can contact
a licensed well driller to properly seal the well, or seal the well themselves if they contact the Environmental Health
Division to schedule an appointment.
A) Records of well drilling and septic system installations can be released to the homeowner. Call the Environmental Health Division for information on how to obtain a copy.
A) The DeKalb County Health Department does not recommend the use of septic tank additives. Additionally, some
additives may negatively impact groundwater quality.
A) Yes. All septic system installations, repairs or modifications in DeKalb County must be done by Illinois Department
of Public Health Licensed Septic System Installation Contractors. Call the Environmental Health Division for more
information.
A) Do not flush old or unused medications. This puts them directly into the water supply. Lehan Drugs in DeKalb will
accept some medications. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department will accept controlled substances. For a
diagram of water contaminants and how they enter our water supply, go to the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) (pdf)